The Cariboo Regional District will be holding a byelection in April to fill the Area E director position held previously by Byron Kemp who passed away last month. The riding covers the South Lakeside/Dog Creek area, here is one of the views looking from the South Lakeside area. Monica Lamb-Yorski photo

Byelection for CRD Area E director coming up in April

With the recent death of Cariboo Regional District director Byron Kemp on Jan. 15, the CRD will hold a byelection to fill his role on the board.

The Local Government Act requires a regional district hold a byelection to fill a vacant director’s position unless the vacancy occurs after June 1 in an election year, explained CRD corporate officer Alice Johnston, who has been appointed as the chief election officer for the by-election.

“Regional districts are different than municipalities in this regard, therefore the board did not have a choice in the matter,” Johnston said. “The alternate director was willing to step in, and is fulfilling the role of director until the by-election is held.

Johnston estimated the byelection may cost $5,000 but there are many variables that will affect the total cost such as the number of polling stations and advertising cost.

The CRD announced the by-election for Electoral Area E Director will take place on April 7, 2018.

Area E – South Lakeside/Dog Creek serves a population of 4,129 and covers a land area of 1,749.

Lore Schick has been appointed as deputy chief election officer.

The nomination period for candidates begins at 9 a.m. on Feb. 20 and closes at 4 p.m. on March 2.

Nomination packages are available at the CRD’s Williams Lake office.

In order to be nominated, a person must be a Canadian citizen, be 18 years of age or older, and a resident of B.C. for at least six months and not be disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in B.C. or from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding office.

Advance polling will be available at the CRD’s Williams Lake office on March 28 and April 3, 2018.